Tag: Historical Context
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Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Originating in agriculture, the proverb “Make hay while the sun shines” metaphorically advocates for seizing opportune moments. It highlights the essence of timing and adaptability in life’s diverse contexts, from professional to personal realms.
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Chesterton’s Fence
Chesterton’s Fence, established by G.K. Chesterton, underscores the need for understanding the rationale behind established norms before modifying them, advocating for informed, deliberate change across various domains, from policy to innovation.
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Movement, Business, Racket
Eric Hoffer posits that movements, rooted in shared convictions, transition from impassioned origins to organized frameworks, and might ultimately deviate to self-serving rackets. This trajectory, prevalent across time, reveals the nuanced dynamics and potential pitfalls of collective actions.
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Dark Tetrad
The Dark Tetrad refers to four malevolent personality traits—Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Sadism. Historically grounded and individually unique, they collectively spotlight behaviors marked by a disregard for others.
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Safetyism
Stemming from Western societies in the late 20th century, Safetyism emphasizes the priority given to physical and emotional safety. Its reach extends from educational methodologies to policy frameworks, reflecting a societal shift towards heightened protection.
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The Uninitiated
The term “Uninitiated” historically referred to individuals not introduced to religious rituals or ceremonies. In contemporary contexts, its meaning has broadened to denote those unfamiliar with specific subjects or practices in various fields, distinguishing them from the “initiated” who possess domain-specific knowledge.
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Cui Bono
Derived from Roman legal traditions, “Cui Bono” translates as “To whom is it a benefit?”. Historically used to discern motives by pinpointing beneficiaries, it’s now a widely-used tool for navigating complex societal and economic dynamics.
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Path Dependence
Path dependence underscores how past choices shape present outcomes, often solidifying specific trajectories. Elements like sunk costs and increasing returns further entrench these paths. Though rooted in economics, the principle illuminates patterns in political, technological, and sociological realms.
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Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome, identified in 1978 by psychologists Clance and Imes, denotes a psychological condition where individuals doubt their genuine achievements, fearing exposure as “frauds.” Despite clear evidence of competence, individuals attribute success to luck and often discount their accomplishments, leading to professional hesitancy and psychological stress.